Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein answers a question after announcing that the office of special counsel Robert Mueller announced a grand jury has charged 13 Russian nationals and several Russian entities, Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Washington. The defendants with an elaborate plot to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Read the indictment: 13 Russians accused of meddling in 2016 election

By Sinclair Broadcast Group

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February 16, 2018 02:56 PM EST

The Department of Justice announced Friday that 13 Russians and three Russian companies have been indicted in an elaborate effort to influence the 2016 election through social media propaganda and other activities intended to boost Republican nominee Donald Trump and weaken Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Though the Russians allegedly communicated with "unwitting individuals" associated with the Trump campaign, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein stressed that the indictment does not accuse any Americans of knowingly assisting in the plot.